Former Sevierville judge Charles S. Sexton writes in Saturday’s issue of Knoxnews that the legislature’s current proposal for selecting appellate judges is a “politically charged system where a few powerful members…can exert their influence to ensure their preferred candidate is placed before the governor without regard to judicial temperament, legal abilities, peer review and an impeccable reputation for honesty and integrity…” Sexton also argues that while House and Senate leadership say the issue is about electing judges, the plan under consideration does not require direct elections.